EDA Tools & Flows Architect/Developer – AI-Powered Design Automation at Altera

San Jose, California, United States

Altera Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Semiconductors, EDAIndustries

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (Ph.D. preferred)
  • 10+ years of industry experience in EDA tools, flows, and methodologies for ASIC/FPGA design
  • Experience with digital and custom IC design flows, including synthesis, floorplanning, placement, CTS, routing, STA, schematic capture, layout, and signoff (DRC/LVS)
  • Experience with frontend design flows (RTL development, synthesis, linting, CDC, formal verification)
  • Scripting and automation using Python, Tcl, and EDA tool APIs
  • Hands-on experience with ML/AI techniques and frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn) applied to design automation and optimization
  • Experience in industry-standard EDA tools (Synopsys, Cadence, Siemens/Mentor) and ability to evaluate emerging technologies
  • Demonstrated ability to architect complex flows, drive methodology improvements, and lead cross-functional initiatives
  • Track record of mentoring and influencing technical teams
  • Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in EDA tool development and automation for physical or custom IC design flows
  • Hands-on expertise with FPGA and ASIC design methodologies, including RTL-to-GDSII implementation
  • Experience with data-driven optimization techniques and reinforcement learning to EDA workflows for performance and efficiency improvements

Responsibilities

  • Design and architect robust, scalable, and efficient physical design flows covering synthesis, floorplanning, placement, clock tree synthesis (CTS), routing, and signoff
  • Develop and maintain end-to-end design automation flows for RTL-to-GDSII implementation
  • Create and optimize custom schematic and layout flows for analog, mixed-signal, and full-custom digital designs
  • Contribute to frontend design flows, including RTL development, synthesis, linting, clock-domain crossing (CDC) checks, and formal verification
  • Collaborate across teams (design, CAD, and architecture) to identify bottlenecks and deliver automation solutions
  • Leverage ML/AI techniques to improve physical design processes such as placement, routing, timing closure, and power optimization
  • Evaluate and integrate new EDA tools and methodologies to enhance design productivity and quality
  • Develop documentation and training resources to support internal tool adoption and usage
  • Benchmark and validate flow improvements across multiple technology nodes and diverse design styles

Skills

EDA tools
physical design
synthesis
floorplanning
placement
CTS
routing
RTL-to-GDSII
schematic capture
layout automation
RTL development
linting
CDC
formal verification
ML/AI
timing closure
power optimization

Altera

Develops digital human agents for AI

About Altera

Altera develops digital human agents that mimic human traits like empathy, friendship, and fun. Their primary product allows users to interact with an AI agent while playing Minecraft, creating a friendly and engaging experience. Altera's agents are designed to be interoperable and capable of long-term autonomy, making them suitable for both individual users and businesses. Unlike many competitors, Altera focuses on advancing research and scaling technology to deliver unique, human-like AI products. The company's goal is to redefine AI agents, enhancing their versatility and human-like qualities.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2023Year Founded
$10.7MTotal Funding
SEEDCompany Stage
Consumer Software, AI & Machine LearningIndustries
11-50Employees

Risks

Priest-led cults in Altera's Minecraft simulation may cause ethical concerns.
Managing 1,000 autonomous AI agents poses safety and ethical challenges.
Creating believable digital humans may lead to misuse in deceptive AI applications.

Differentiation

Altera specializes in digital human agents with traits like empathy and friendship.
Their first product offers a unique Minecraft experience with interactive AI agents.
Altera's focus on human-like AI agents sets them apart in the AI sector.

Upsides

Altera raised $9M in May 2024, showing strong investor confidence.
AI-driven gaming experiences are gaining popularity, benefiting Altera's Minecraft product.
The rise of AI companions in mental health indicates a market for empathetic agents.

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